Rick Ross Samples Biggie on New ‘Mastermind’ Track

Rick Ross’ new album Mastermind doesn’t come out for another few weeks–December 17 to be exact–but the rapper is already spilling the beans about a few tracks on the LP including one that samples the Notorious B.I.G.

On the track, which Ross did not reveal the title of at a recent listening party, he uses the instrumental from Biggie’s “You’re Nobody (Until Somebody Kills You),” according to Vibe.

The original song, a play off the 1944 classic “You’re Nobody (Until Somebody Kills You),” was featured on Biggie’s second and final album, 1997’s Life After Death, which was released two weeks after the rapper was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles.

Ross’ version focuses on his own near death experience back in January when gunmen shot at his Rolls Royce while he was driving home from a Miami club on his birthday. Before then Ross had received death threats, which have been captured on video, by individuals claiming to be a part of the Gangster’s Disciples gang.

The track begins with the audio of the 911 call made during the shooting before launching into Ross addressing the attempt on his own life. French Montana also appears on the track.

Ross’ new album also features a song called “Francis Ford Coppola,” which was named for the iconic director ofThe Godfather and he says continues that “cinematic feel” of his previous work. He is also teaming up with Jay Z for the track “The Devil is a Lie” and Future, who appears on the record’s first single, “No Games.”

Watch the video for “No Games” below.

Shannon Carlin

Shannon Carlin
Shannon is an associate music producer for Radio.com. She previously worked as the music editor for Beyond Race Magazine, before earning a master's degree from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. While interning at NPR she wrote...